Hate (Book One Of The Emotion Series)

Prologue

Three centuries ago

Panting heavily, fear and anticipation danced on their faces as they ran away from the uproar. Dozens of hunters followed close behind, shooting poison coated arrows and bullets. All in the name of greed. In the name of destruction. 

Neri and her sister, Era, ran frantically away from the danger that pursued them. How could he have let this happen? How could he expose their secret to them? And for what? Love? Neri knew that love would have been their downfall. Due to that horrendous emotion, the source of their powers was now lost and they were hunted like monsters. 

Neri looked behind her as her eldest sibling struggled to keep up. Much stronger but not faster. Turning around, Era conjured up a strong gust of wind, sweeping at least six hunters into the air carrying them far away, just as a shot zoomed past her head, hitting a nearby tree. 

Neri could see the mystical flames decorating the skies in the distance. She knew her warriors were fighting for their lives. Fighting to protect her. Fighting to protect Aurelia from this horrible invasion. But would they be strong enough to defeat them? Would they be strong enough to save Aurelia? 

There was a shift in the darkness and heavy footsteps. Soon enough, Neri and Era came to a halt staring at the hunters that blocked their path. Calling on the energies of the sea and power that raged inside of her, Neri allowed her body to be lit ablaze and her deadly melody to escape. Rising her hands, she forced her mystical fire onto the hunters, crippling them with her song of destruction. Eyes, popping out of their sockets, blood gushing from their ears and best of all, cries of agony erupted from the group. 

Beside her, Era used her powers to control the wind, spreading the fire far and wide, sending oncoming hunters running. With her slender, swift fingers, she allowed the wind to fight for her, snatching weapons right out hunters’ hands, uprooting them mid-run, slamming them into trees and the dirt, knocking them unconscious with her power and ferocity. 

As the hunters fought against the wind and briskly attempted to out themselves, Neri turned to her sister, eyes full of panic, “ We have to get out of here!”

“Don’t you think I know that?!” Era shouted as the herd of hunters slowly grew larger. “Go! Run! Get to Blue Land where you would be safe, I’ll hold them off!”

“I can’t leave you!” Tears welled in Neri’s eyes as she defied her sister’s wishes.

“You have to! Get to Blue Land and save yourself!”

“But-”

“Go!”

With that last command, Neri sped to Blue Land, blasting hunters left and right. Almost blinded by the tears streaming down her face, Neri allowed her instincts to take over. Foot pounding the dirt, she finally broke out of the forest and onto the beach. Bright violet flames flashed here, red flames sparked there and siren songs filled the air. 

Breathing sporadically, her heart tried to pound its way out of her chest. Neri looked left and right as bodies fell. Some, vile hunters, others, her loyal knights. Her body shook violently as her mind went into a frenzy. She didn’t know what to do or who to save. She knew she couldn’t save them all even though she desperately wanted to. She was confused and the bright flames, violent songs, and terrifying battle cries made her disoriented.

Then she felt a light breeze. Swirling around her, it invaded her space, her thick hair, and most importantly her mind. ‘I will always be with you,’ it whispered, calming her. It was her sister with a message. A message that she desperately needed. Taking a deep breath, Neri closed her eyes. Releasing it, she allowed the vengeance and anger to take over. Her body burned violet, dealy flames and her throat readied itself for mass destruction.

Sensing her presence, the ocean grew rougher. Each wave broke, choppier and larger than the last. Storm clouds closed in as Neri began expelling flames. Parting her delicate lips, her song of death rang out in the night, causing hunters to convulse on the sand. Blood, pouring out of their eyes and ears, staining the white sand. The water broke on the shore, dragging nearby hunters to a watery grave. 

With the aid of their master, charmers took the opportunity to invade the minds of their soon to be victims, tricking their minds to believe their hearts and lungs were constricted. Clawing at their brains, resulting in unbearable pain. Taking advantage of their pain-ridden state, fire hate-feeders rose, finishing them off with mystical fire, leaving only skeletons behind. 

Sirens, on the other hand, joined their leader, matching her murderous melody. Using their clawed and scaly fingers, they forced their energy into the ocean, taking control of it. Rising a massive wave filled with unending power and pressure, they catapulted it to the shore. Fire hate-feeders blessing the waves with their mystical flames, the wave crashed onto the shore swallowing the hunters and invading Blue Land. The adverse effects of the flames and water magnifying as the sirens melody made the fire that the hate feeders wield, more catastrophic. 

As the healing waters washed over the injured creatures of the ocean, their wounds closed up and their strength and powers were restored. Rising out of the water they joined the others.

Neri called the deadly waters back, letting her sirens take over the melody. She then instructed her creatures of the ocean, far and wide to retreat along with waves. As the waters rapidly returned, Neri called on the powers of all her spawns and the energy of the ocean. Raising her hands and spreading them wide, she cast a spell, a barrier of scarlet flames rising from the sand. 

Assertive commands rang out into the night sky behind her. Commands from her enemies. Why was this batch not affected by the siren song that destroyed the others? Why weren’t they falling to their knees, begging for mercy? What was happening? Panting heavily once more, Neri dashed to the ocean, the confidence she had seconds ago now gone. 

Bullets zooming past her as she dodged as best as she good. She was only a few feet away. If she made it just to the shore where the water touched her, she would be safe. She turned left and right, hunters closing in from all directions. She was the only one of her kind on the sandy plain and for a moment, she regretted putting the lives of her warriors above hers. 

Just a few steps more and she would be home free. 

Five. 

Four. 

Three. 

Two. 

On-

An excruciating pain rippled through her delicate form. Averting her eyes to her chest, she observed the enormous gaping hole that shone brightly. Rocking back and forth on her heels, she felt her strength slowly slipping away. Neri fell to her knees as a colourful ball emerged from the wounded. Sparks followed, covering her body as she felt her vessel slowly disintegrate. Heart slowing, lungs begging for air as she gasped sucking in whatever was left. Her powers drained out as she hopelessly tried to drag on the sand, willing her body to get to the water that was so close. 

She was alone and had no help; her warriors were already tucked away at the button of the ocean that still echoed the siren song. She couldn’t give up. What about her sister? What about her brother? They needed her. She needed them. She had to live, she just had to. 

Her fingers barely grazed the majestic waters when strong, rough hands gripped her legs, dragging her further away from home. 

Turning her over, a shadow descended. A shadow that bared a sweet smile. Staring into her teary eyes, Robin Knight stroke her hair like you would a lover after a night of passion. Leaning in, his lips brushed her ear, “I told you love would be your downfall,” he whispered, “If only you had chosen to accept mine.” Neri gasped, her last breath one of shock. 

~~~~

Present-day.

“Okay, okay! You win,” Xavier chuckled, as the splashes of seawater died down.

“I always win!” Jaycell shouted triumphantly.

“Yeah, whatever.” 

“Oh come on. Don’t be a sore loser,” Jaycell pouted, her scales glistening in the beaming sunlight.

“You only won because you have a tail and you know it.”

Bursting into a fit of laughter, she fell back into the soothing waters, allowing her body to sink and then resurface. She always enjoyed playing in the water with Xavier after a tiresome mission. They would swim around on the surface, then plunge deep into the vibrant waters with their marine friends, exploring every nook and cranny. Sometimes, she would serenade him with her intoxicating melody and other times, he would hide from her and invade her thoughts, only to scare her in the end. 

They always had a good time in each other’s company. 

So as Jaycell emerged in front of his cheerful form, a small smile crept onto his lips. He knew what was to come next and he readied himself. Her eyes, above the waterline and the rest of her submerged in the water.  Xavier opened his arms, catching her as she took the expected leap into him. 

Crashing down, they fell into the warm waters in a fit of giggles, her tail fin flipping at the surface before they were completely under. Turning them over, Xavier held her wrist as they swam forward, passing the colourful fishes along the way. They were going to their spot, a pile of large rocks protruding out of the water near a cliff.

As they reached their destination, they swam to the surface once more, pulling themselves onto the rock. Xavier took his position, laying on his back staring up at the blue sky and Jaycell, laying in the opposite direction on her stomach, her fin grazing the water as she flipped it mindlessly.

“I wish I could be like this with my other friends,” Jaycell sighed deeply, “Cold would have loved this. Seeing the ocean in all its entirety from our perspective.”

“Constant manipulation?”

“No,” she glared at Xavier, “I mean the beauty. The control. Everything but the murder and battles. You know, she loves mermaids and underwater adventures.”

“Really?” Xavier questioned, turning to face her.

“Definitely! She would have loved this.”

“Maybe you should invite her to hang out with us. We don’t have to use our powers, but we can go for deep dives or long swims and have a grand time.” There was hope in Xavier’s voice. This wasn’t the first time that Jaycell voiced how much of a great friend Cold was and how she wished they could share this. But it was the first time Xavier had ever suggested inviting her.

Xavier often wondered what it would be like to have friends. Though Jaycell was his friend, she was the only one. When she spoke of her joyous moments with her friend group, he often felt lonely. It had been years since he had companionship and he wished that he could have that again. He wanted nothing more than to be included or have someone else he could relate to. 

“No,” Jaycell countered shaking her head, “We can’t. She wouldn’t be okay with that and neither would Nate, no thanks to you.”

“What does Nate have to do with her hanging out with us?”

“They’re best friends, you know that. Plus, you two hate each other. I don’t want to put her in the middle of that.”

“I don’t hate him.”

“You’re lying.”

Shaking his head swiftly, Xavier sat up. He wasn’t lying, he didn’t hate Nate. However, he wasn’t a big fan. Unlike Jaycell, Xavier knew of Nate’s past, more importantly, he knew of the present that he desperately tried to hide from everyone. He knew that he was a fraud. He knew that he was a selfish liar. But he also knew it was not his place to inform Jaycell. The reason why he knew what Nate did were not to expose him but rather to use it against him. 

Scuffing, Jaycell rolled her eyes. “You know, he wouldn’t hate you if you just left his relationship alone.”

“Do you think that I wanted to be another wedge in their relationship?”

“You’re the only wedge in their relationship, Xavier.” As far as she knows. As far as anyone but himself, Nate and Brie knew.

“How many times do I have to tell you. I had a crush on her and she told me she had a boyfriend. When I read her stupid mind and found out it was Nate, I was forced to get involved. Do you think I like being the bad guy? I’m not doing this out of my free will!”

Xavier always became heated when he explained this to Jaycell. Heated because he knew that she didn’t believe him. Why is it when he’s telling the truth everyone believed it was all lies? More importantly, why did she choose to not believe him? Her opinion is the only one that truly matters after all. The one person who he could trust didn’t believe that he was innocent. 

Xavier balled his fist as his heart began racing. Jaycell said nothing nor did she even look at him. He had to know what she was thinking. He had to confirm that she was denying that it had any truth to his statement. Silently he closed his eyes, concentrating intensely, he entered her mind. He heard her thoughts, but to his surprise, they had nothing to do with his dilemma. She was imagining how a day with the three of them -himself, Jaycell and Cold- would have gone. Running along the shore, great water battles and lots of laughter. Underwater exploration where Cold would have been in awe of the world she knew nothing about.

“You know, this would be us with Nate when he turns right?” Jaycell commented sitting up, submerging her tail into the water, staring out at the horizon. She knew Xavier was in her head, viewing and listening to her thoughts. She knew he saw what she was imagining. “Unless that meant Cold would come along, I’m not looking forward to it.” Xavier leans back on his hands, eyes closed, head tilted toward the vibrant sun. 

Jaycell stole a glance at him, tilting her head, curiosity taking over her face. Jaycell had always noticed the way that Xavier responded to the topic of Cold. He would listen intently and comment on how nice it would be to know her. To be around her, like she was. Deep down, she thought that there was a possibility he had a crush on but Cold. However, Jaycell had never worked up the courage to ask about it before. She always thought if he didn’t tell her, maybe that’s because he didn’t want her to know. But she couldn’t help the curiosity that crept up her spine regarding his emotions.

“Do you like Cold?” She asked bluntly.

“I like the thought of her. She seems like a nice friend to have.”

“So you only care for her in a friendly way?” Jaycell raised a delicate eyebrow, hanging onto his every word.

“Yes. I just want to have friends again you know? You’re not always going to be around when I need you and I guess the thought of her as another friend has always, enticed me.”

Jaycell let out a sigh of relief. A sigh that she was unaware she was holding in. For some reason, those words brought a sense of comfort to her and she didn’t know why. Sneaking a peek at Xavier, she observed his sulking form. Xavier wanted friends, companions, like her. He wanted a circle he could get lost in, just like he usually got lost in her. Jaycell felt bad, not just because for the first time, she’s realising that her friend was truly lonely, but because she would rather him be lonely with her than popular and loved by others including herself. She liked that it was just them. She liked that he was her safety net and she, his. 

Becoming a siren was the best thing that had ever happened to her. Waking up in the dead of night, the moon shining brightly and Xavier looming over her, waiting patiently for a new agent. His soothing voice, filling her with comfort as he questioned her state of rightness. That night, she told him about her home and how all she ever wanted was to feel loved. He stayed silent as she detailed stories of inadequacy in her parents’ eyes and he revealed to her the solution to her problem. 

He introduced her to the siren song. Though that song brought her all she had ever desired, he was the only person who cared for her in that way without needing to be manipulated. He was the only person who loved her the way she longed to be loved. 

And maybe, just maybe, that was why she felt so protective over their relationship. Maybe that was why she didn’t want to share him with anyone. Maybe that was why, when Nate expressed his disapproval of Xavier, she remained silent. She didn’t want anything to change. But maybe, it should.